Awareness raising and treatment

Awareness raising and treatment: the campaigns
To stop the HIV epidemic in Amsterdam, it is important that people know their HIV status and access treatment in time. Some 70 percent of HIV infections in the Netherlands occur among MSM. This group is therefore the focus of the H-TEAM’s awareness-raising activities.
By creating awareness and providing immediate referral trajectories for testing options and treatment, the H-TEAM:
- Promotes greater awareness of the early symptoms of HIV among MSM
- Ensures faster detection of acute or chronic HIV in MSM
Through innovative communication campaigns we make MSM aware of the symptoms of an acute HIV infection and the benefits of rapid treatment. Online tools are used to stimulate MSM to seek HIV testing soon after possible exposure to HIV.
Scroll down for more information on these campagnes and their results.
This interactive check raises awareness of risk behaviour and the possible symptoms during the acute phase of an HIV infection. If the Symptoms Check indicates that someone may have an acute HIV infection, he or she will be referred to Public Health Service Amsterdam (PHSA). There is a special procedure that allows people who suspect that they have an acute HIV infection to be tested immediately using a special device that can detect HIV at an early stage. If a person is found to be HIV-positive, he can immediately visit an HIV practitioner in Amsterdam thanks to a special fast-track procedure.
Of the men who presented for an AHI test at PHSA, 38% confirmed that they were directed to PHSA by the campaign or the website. In the first months of the campaign, this rate was 60%. This not only shows that the website is still effective, but also suggests a process of generalization of the knowledge on acute HIV within the risk group and among professionals, as almost two-thirds of referrals are now taking place outside the campaign.
National roll-out of AHI campaign
Following the experiences with the acute HIV infection campaign, the H-TEAM explored if a national roll-out of the AHI diagnostic and referral trajectory would be feasible. The national AHI campaign was launched in November 2019 with a new website: hebikhiv.nl. The campaign was designed and produced together with the community.
Team
-
Arjan van Bijnen
Member
Soa Aids Nederland -
Godelieve de Bree
Member
Amsterdam UMC
AIGHD -
Paul Zantkuijl
Member
Soa Aids Nederland -
Tomas Derckx
Member
Hiv Vereniging Nederland -
Udi Davidovich
Project Leader
GGD Amsterdam